Detroit is My Home

15
Nov

The DIA is back

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

The new Detroit Institute of Arts officially opens its doors to the public on Friday, November 23, after a six-year, $158-million renovation. A weekend of activities is planned. Admission is free, and there will be something for everyone — from families to night owls, including some special late-night features.Member Preview Days are November 16-18.

More information at www.dia.org.

14
Nov

Toy troubles

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

More toys have been added to the recall list, meaning bad news for some big toy manufacturers. (See the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for full details of these and other products that have been involved in recalls.) I don’t know about you, but I’ll think twice about what sorts of toys I’ll be buying for Christmas presents this year. I already check the packaging for that ubiquitous “Made in China” stamp, which always makes me examine a product a little more carefully before deciding whether to purchase it.

What about you? Have your buying habits changed since the rash of recent recalls?

13
Nov

Quicken moves to Detroit

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Good news for Detroit - Quicken Loans Inc. plans to relocate its corporate offices and 4,000 jobs from the suburbs to Detroit, a move the online mortgage company hopes will help revive downtown by attracting housing, stores and other businesses.

According to columnists Daniel Howes of The Detroit News and Tom Walsh of the Detroit Free Press, Quicken Loans owner Dan Gilbert has one year to consider two possible sites and 18 months to two years more to develop a construction plan.

“This is big,” Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said, describing a package of state and local incentives that could total as much as $200 million over the next 20 years. “This is a done deal. We’ve signed the development agreement. This is the largest package that we - the city and state - have put together to bring a company to downtown Detroit.”

Kilpatrick and Gov. Jennifer Granholm were expected to join Gilbert at an afternoon news conference Tuesday to formally announce the deal.

“We’re going under the moniker of Detroit 2.0,” Gilbert said. “The grand vision is to create our version of Sand Hill Road in Silicon Valley.”

Quicken currently is headquartered in suburban Livonia. The lease ends in 2009.

13
Nov

And so it begins … Black Friday

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Can you believe the holidays are almost upon us? I can’t, either, although it seems like the retailers want us to believe it. Last week, Wal Mart announced a “secret” sale (how can a sale be a secret when they announce it?), and Meijer has now released its Black Friday ad circular as well. Advertisements for Meijers’ sale, which takes place on November 22-24, can be picked up at all 181 of its stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

12
Nov

Pet Expo

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Metro Detroiters are wild about their pets, and attendance at America’s Family Pet Expo shows it. This year’s event takes place this weekend at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.

Exhibitors include manufacturers, retailers, groomers, veterinarians, hobbyist groups, humane rescue organizations, humane societies, breeders, and more. Almost every kind of companion animal will be on display, many of whom will be featured in educational demonstrations and seminars.

Click here for details.

12
Nov

Amber Alert Issued

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Harper Woods police have issued an Amber Alert for a 15-year-old girl, believed to be in extreme danger.

Gerravia Wilson was last seen Wednesday night, getting into a gold four-door Camry outside a Target store. See Local 4 website for details.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harper Woods Police Department at (313) 343-2530.

11
Nov

“Beowulf”

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

One of fall’s most anticipated releases hits theaters Thursday. Inspired by the 9th century English epic poem, “Beowulf” combines a digitally enhanced live-action film making technology with an all-star cast. Stars Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie.

Are you going to see it?

10
Nov

Give a gift for the animals

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Did you know that holiday gifts are available from the Michigan Humane Society? My mom usually purchases her Christmas cards from the organization, and they feature adorable photos of cuddly cats and dogs, or for the less-cuddly, wild birds and other animals. Calendars and more are also offered, and profits go to the organization.

Find out more by calling the Humane Society or by checking their website.

07
Nov

Free museum admission today

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History for free on the first Wednesday of each month. Courtesy of the Charter One Foundation, admission is free of charge, on the first Wednesday of each month, through today.

The program represents a great opportunity for the entire community to experience the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, a world-class institution that chronicles the African American experience.

Call (313) 494-5808 or visit www.maah-detroit.org for information.

01
Nov

High-speed novel writing

Author: Teresa, Category: Uncategorized

November 1 marks the start of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. It’s a once-a-year, seat-of-your-pants way to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. Writers from all over the world sign up via the website and set out to write an average of 1,667 words per day for 30 days. In 2006, over 79,000 participated, and nearly 13,000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline.

I’m signed up, as are many Detroiters and writers and non-writers around the globe. Visit the website for details, and check out the forums to connect with other Nano-ers in Detroit and elsewhere.